Caracterização da qualidade de sementes de variedades crioulas de milho (Zea Mays L.).

Abstract

The preservation of seeds of varieties created by corn represents, besides a cultural rescue, a guarantee of biodiversity. Thus, the present work aims to characterize different maize varieties in relation to physical, physiological and sanitary quality. Maize seed lots belonging to the varieties Asa Branca, Ibra and Padre Cícero Branco, and a commercial variety AG 1051 were used. The experimental design used for the tests was used occasionally, except for various types of use being used. in a randomized block. The tests and analyzes performed to measure seed quality were: purity, density, weight of one thousand seeds, infestation, biometrics (length, width and thickness), germination, first germination count, germination speed index, seed length, radicle, electrical conductivity, cold test, Tetrazolium, accelerated aging, field emergency, emergence speed index, dry and fresh shoot mass and root system. The obtained data were submitted to the analysis of variance and test of comparisons of means. The Creole variety Pe Cícero Branco has biometrically larger seeds with higher mass among the evaluated varieties. The seeds of the Creole varieties evaluated show greater divergence. genetics evidenced by the variations of its morphobiometric characteristics. The seeds of the Creole Asa Branca and Ibra varieties presented the best physical and physiological quality, with better performance in tests that simulated stress conditions, which suggests better adaptation to adverse environmental conditions of climate and soil of the semiarid region. The microflora of seeds of the Creole varieties consisted of typically storage fungi.